Ricoh Caplio R3

[simpo two]

After much gnashing of braincells it's either that or the Panasonic Lumix FX8/9 for the new Simpo compact.

But has anyone seen the Caplio R3 in a shop? I need to get my paws on it before I can decide.

If you've never heard of it, check out these specs and see what you think...

www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ricoh/ricoh_caplior3.asp

[bacchus180]

wot about the new leica... ccd and all probably better than the D70.. I'm in love with leica.. just sumptious

www.leica-camera.com/digitalekameras/dlux2/index_e.html

[simpo two]

Great camera, but too fat and too expensive for this role!

[chris.mapey]

Just take the D70. How often do you go to NZ?

Be a man, take a big camera bag & use the kit wisely...

You'll be kicking yourself if you can't quite get the correct shot 'cos your D70 is in the northern hemisphere...

Chris (just my 2p's worth & I'll see you Sun!)

[V6GTO]

I couldn't find a price for the Lieca...???

Debbie is after a compact so I'm tempted (I won't tell her what it costs or she won't use it) and I can have a nice little back-up.

Martin.

[simpo two]

chris.mapey said:

Just take the D70. How often do you go to NZ?

Don't worry, the D70 is going; this is an 'as well' camera

[te51cle]

Don't think I've ever seen any Ricoh in a shop, only in the Jessops catalogue and on Pixmania etc. websites. Not really enough info on the R3 to go on in the brief spec. I was considering the Ricoh GX8 before buying the Fuji E550, mainly because the wide angle went to 28mm equivalent and you can stick a full sized flashgun on it. Against it was noisy images - but you are capable of finding and using noise reduction software if needed so that might not be such a problem.

Would be interested in why the Sony P200 or W7 and Fuji F10/11 didn't make it to your shortlist - zoom range perhaps ?

Was thinking you might be better off with a compact that used CF cards the same as your D70 ? Oh, but that would be the Canon G6...

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

Don't think I've ever seen any Ricoh in a shop, only in the Jessops catalogue and on Pixmania etc. websites. Not really enough info on the R3 to go on in the brief spec.

If you go here: www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/index.cfm?photo/digicameras/ricoh.html?cd=20051915

- and scroll to the third camera down and click on 'techincal details' you get a good chunk of info.

The Lumix FX8/9 is a very good camera by all accounts, but put them side by side and the Ricoh beats it in several areas, most obviously by having a '28-200' zoom lens. It also has manual focus override, takes TIFF files, runs to ISO 800, focuses to 1cm (!), has c/w metering as well as matrix and spot, and has a timelapse facility too...

Two things make me hesitate. (1) how good are Ricoh images? (2) call me silly but the Lumix is cooler, largely in brand but also slightly in style.

te51cle said:

Would be interested in why the Sony P200 or W7 and Fuji F10/11 didn't make it to your shortlist - zoom range perhaps ?

I don't like the look of them so much. CF would be nice but that would mean nicking of the D70's cards, so as I have to buy new, it doesn't really matter!

[te51cle]

Certainly the G3 looks sexy, especially being able to contract a 200mm equivalent lens into a 1" deep body ! I presume its using the same VR technology as Konica-Minolta which had some early problems. Looks like Ricoh's reputation for noisy images will continue too (though there's noise on the FX9 too). Think I'd want to see an independent review before buying.

This thread has some good info, particularly the name and number of the Ricoh rep to call.
www.photographyblog.com/index.php/weblog/comments/7311/

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

Certainly the G3 looks sexy

R3
Thaks for the link; I've found several which repeat the brochure, but can't find an actual review in the true sense of the word. I've suggested nicely at dpreview that they might like to do one, but even if they do one I expect it take a while!

Here's a composite showing the main views of each camera, Ricoh on the left, Lumix on the right. The Lumix is the prettier package but the Ricoh, on paper at least, does more. Pity the designer sat on it!





>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 22 October 10:07

[ehasler]

bacchus180 said:

wot about the new leica... ccd and all probably better than the D70.. I'm in love with leica.. just sumptious www.leica-camera.com/digitalekamer

Looks good at first sight, but it's apparently based on the Panasonic DMC-LX1 which has had some poor reviews...

www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx1/

Shame, as the idea of a digi panoramic camera with a good lens really appealed to me...

[GetCarter]

Ed

As mentioned on the 'what digi camera' thread...

I've also been considering the Leica - all the reviews of the Panasonic seem to find two faults: if one crops to 3:2 or 4:3 one cuts the pixel count - and it has no spotting scope.

As If I bought the camera, I would not crop to 3:2 or 4:3 and the Leica has an optional spotter, I cannot find any particular fault in any review.

Have you seen some reviews that I can't find via google? I'd appreciate any links you have. Ta

...oh and talking of spotting - well done spotting Rannoch Moor!

Steve 'REALLY shouldn't be spending the money' Carter

[ehasler]

GetCarter said:

Ed As mentioned on the 'what digi camera' thread... I've also been considering the Leica - all the reviews of the Panasonic seem to find two faults: if one crops to 3:2 or 4:3 one cuts the pixel count - and it has no spotting scope. As If I bought the camera, I would not crop to 3:2 or 4:3 and the Leica has an optional spotter, I cannot find any particular fault in any review. Have you seen some reviews that I can't find via google? I'd appreciate any links you have. Ta ...oh and talking of spotting - well done spotting Rannoch Moor! Steve 'REALLY shouldn't be spending the money' Carter

I've not seen any reviews of the Leica, but the dpreview test on the Panasonic found it to be very noisy, even at low ISO settings.

If you do get one, I'd be interested to know what you think of it.

[GetCarter]

OK Ta Ed: finally found the noise issue page. Hmmm... so much for a decent wide angle compact with a stunning lens - looks like I'll stick to the DSLR until somebody can get one together.

I really wish they would, so I could keep it charged next to the phone in the coat pocket.

Steve

[simpo two]

GetCarter said:

so much for a decent wide angle compact with a stunning lens - looks like I'll stick to the DSLR until somebody can get one together...I really wish they would, so I could keep it charged next to the phone in the coat pocket.

Well, if I might pop back for a moment - there's always the Ricoh Caplio R3 - when someone gets round to doing a review